Ronald McDonald House donates to St. Mary’s Guest House project

Citizen Staff Reports

10/10/12

Above, Derek Kung, president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond, (far right) presents a check for $175,000 to build a pediatric wing at the St. Mary's Guest House. Pictured left to right are: Dr. Billy Lennarz, VP of medical affairs, Bon Secours Children's Services; Toni Ardabell, CEO of St. Mary's Hospital; Ilona Scanlon and Kathryn Knierim, both child life specialists at St. Mary's. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond also gave $75,000 to establish three family rooms in the hospital.

“We are profoundly grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for these generous gifts,” said Toni R. Ardabell, CEO of Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. “It is invaluable not only to have financial support from Ronald McDonald House Charities, but also their expertise in providing a home away from home for patient families.”

The house will offer families a quiet place to relax and recharge with 14 guest rooms, two family suites and common areas. The Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation has raised $2.3 million toward their $3 million goal for construction of the guest house, which is set to open its doors in late fall 2013. For details, visit http://www.bsvaf.org/guesthouse.

“RMHC is honored to be a part of the heroic efforts of Bon Secours’ pediatric health care providers,” said Derek W.H. Kung, president of the board of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond, VA, Inc. “We are proud to be teaming up with an organization and be part of a Richmond community that feels so passionately about the health and well-being of sick children and their families.”

The 10th Annual Filipino Festival will be held Aug. 7-8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 8200 Woodman Rd., beginning with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday and continuing with live entertainment, food and exhibits until 10 p.m. On Saturday the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a full schedule of performances featuring traditional Filipino dance, music and song.

Filipino cuisine, including BBQ, pansit, lumpia, adobo, halo-halo, lechon, empanada and leche flan, will be available for purchase. The festival will also feature a children's area, church tours, exhibits, and health screenings. > Read more.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond last week opened its new Short Pump location at Short Pump Town Center, to the delight of children who attended a sneak preview of the location July 10. The new facility, located under the forthcoming LL Bean store (formerly the food court) is 8,500 square feet in size – much larger than CMoR’s former Short Pump location at West Broad Village, which opened in 2010. The new space includes The CarMax Foundation Service Station, the Silver Diner, a grocery store, a performance stage and an art studio, as well as a giant Light Bright Wall. > Read more.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Henrico Police are both presenting community events tomorrow, Aug. 1. The Feria Community Resource Fair at Richmond International Raceway brings together community service providers, embassies/consulates from Latin American countries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations that impact the Latino community. The Division of Police’s Community Day will feature demonstrations and displays from police, fire, animal protection and sheriff’s office, as well as family activities, food, entertainment and more. Other events this weekend include wine, chess and theatre! For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.